Drinks

Thanksgiving Cranberry Cobbler Punch Recipe

ByEthan Lark November 1, 2025November 1, 2025

Introduction

This Thanksgiving Cranberry Cobbler Punch is a festive and flavorful drink perfect for holiday gatherings. Combining tart cranberries, warm spices, and a splash of bourbon, it’s both refreshing and cozy. It’s sure to impress your guests and add holiday cheer to any celebration.

A close-up of three clear glasses filled with a red drink, each glass packed with small ice cubes. The drinks have layers of deep red liquid at the bottom and lighter red near the top. Each glass is decorated with sugared cranberries, a twisted orange peel curled on the side, and a stick of cinnamon standing upright. A dark brown star anise floats on top of the drink closest to the camera, resting on the ice. Around the glasses, scattered sugared cranberries and star anise sit on a round black board with white marble textures underneath. The whole scene has warm light, creating rich shadows and highlights. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1/4 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 cups fresh cranberries
1 cinnamon stick
Zest from 1 large orange
6 cups 100% cranberry juice or cranberry pomegranate juice
2 cups apple cider
8 ounces (1 cup) bourbon
3 ounces (1/3 cup) orange liqueur
2 dashes orange bitters
1 orange, sliced
4 cinnamon sticks
1 bottle (750 ml) champagne
Star anise, for garnish

Instructions

Step 1: Make the cranberry syrup by bringing 1/2 cup water, maple syrup, brown sugar, cranberries, and 1 cinnamon stick to a boil in a medium pot over high heat. Boil for 5 minutes, or until the cranberries begin to burst, then remove from heat.
Step 2: Stir in the orange zest. If the syrup thickens too quickly, add a little water to thin it out. Let the syrup cool, and strain out the cranberries if you prefer a smoother consistency.
Step 3: In a large pitcher, combine the cooled syrup, cranberry juice, apple cider, bourbon, orange liqueur, and orange bitters. Stir until well mixed.
Step 4: Add 4 cinnamon sticks and 1–2 star anise pods to the punch. Chill the mixture until you are ready to serve.
Step 5: Just before serving, fill a punch bowl with ice. Pour the punch over the ice, then slowly add the champagne. Stir gently.
Step 6: Add the orange slices to the punch bowl. Serve over ice in individual glasses. Optionally, garnish with sugared cranberries for a festive touch.

Tips & Variations

For a non-alcoholic version, omit the bourbon, orange liqueur, and champagne, and replace with sparkling water or additional cranberry juice.
Adjust the sweetness by adding more maple syrup or brown sugar if you prefer a sweeter punch.
Use fresh star anise as garnish for a lovely aromatic touch and elegant presentation.
Straining the syrup is optional, depending on if you like bits of cranberry in your punch.

Storage

Store any leftover punch (without champagne) in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Add champagne and ice just before serving again to keep it fresh and bubbly. The cranberry syrup can be stored separately in the fridge for up to 5 days.

How to Serve

The image shows three layered drinks in clear glasses with a gold rim, placed on a white marbled surface. Each glass has a bottom layer of dark red liquid filled with crushed ice, followed by a middle layer of lighter red ice-filled liquid. The top layer has floating red cranberries, giving a textured look. Each drink is garnished with a long brown cinnamon stick, an orange peel twist curled around the stick, and a dark brown star anise on top. Around the drinks on the surface, there are scattered powdered sugar, some cranberries covered in sugar, whole star anises, and a dried orange slice. The scene has warm, cozy lighting with highlights and shadows emphasizing the textures. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare this punch ahead of time?

Yes, you can make the cranberry syrup and punch base a day ahead and keep it chilled. Add the champagne and ice just before serving to maintain the bubbles and freshness.

What can I use instead of bourbon?

If you prefer a milder flavor or a non-alcoholic option, you can substitute bourbon with additional apple cider or a non-alcoholic bourbon-flavored syrup.